Skate legend Tony Hawk's Skatepark Hero Mike Manion recently shared details from a collaborative shoot in Atlanta that brought together local skaters, a film crew led by A Lewis Films, and members of the Atlanta Police.
Not long ago, there was tension between skaters and police in the city.
Skaters often felt like they were being chased away from spots they considered part of their daily routine, and police were regularly called in to move people along.
That kind of back and forth created distance between both sides for a long time.
This recent shoot showed something very different.
Everyone involved came together in a calm setting with no confrontation. Instead of conflict, there was conversation, filming, and shared time in the same space without any issues.
The focus was on understanding each other and finding common ground around how public areas are used in Atlanta.
Mike thanked everyone involved for being open to the experience and for showing hospitality throughout the day.
He shared appreciation for both the film crew and the Atlanta Police for taking part in something connected to the skateboarding scene in a more open way than before.
He also spoke about how important it felt to meet face to face and work alongside people who are part of how the city is shaped.
Rather than staying on opposite sides, everyone took time to listen and interact in a respectful way.
Mike shared his appreciation for Atlanta as a whole and mentioned how encouraging it is to see people come together in this way.
He explained that these kinds of interactions can help open doors for better understanding and smoother relationships in the future.
Mike Posted:
"Fun shoot the other day with @alewisfilms and @atlantapolice
Thank you all for the hospitality, and thank you for your willingness to be involved in the skateboarding community.
We Love Atlanta, and we know it’s better when we all come together!
So thankful to be shaking hands and making the necessary connections to make our city more skate friendly."